A tutor at home

Read the following article in which four people speak about having a private teacher at home for young
children.

A Alex

Born to working parents and settled in dad’s official quarters in the city, I could have been left without
friends or relatives to attend me in my childhood. But Angel was there. It was how I used to call my
tutor, Ms Agnes, who taught me at home till I completed my secondary school. I always feel that I owe
to her much for what I am at present, for it was her instructions and support that helped me to cure my
fear of Math. She was patient and knew well about me. She personalised everything. I recall how she
taught me physics lessons, about speed and acceleration, all in fun, while we were in a car, driving on a
picnic day.

B Catherine

Since being a toddler, up until I entered senior school, Nancy was with me at home, all in charge of
teaching me everything. I can remember how kind she was to me and how determined she was to help
me with my basic science. Still, I must confess I was not that cooperative to her. As I reckon, my real
learning started only with my college days, when I was in hostel and studied from my campus and my
campus mates. I was lucky to have a group of friends from whom I picked most of my knowledge in
Mathematics. Math was my scary demon in my whole school days. Just as they were friends in learning,
they were also mates in jollity. I can’t forget how I enjoyed holidays spent with them.

C Sithara

Most children have their tutors while being young. But my story is a wee bit different. I was in a joint
family till we shifted to the town. May be because of that, I had no tutor in my childhood days. As dad
and mom took job in university by the time I grew up to join it, we stayed in an apartment in the campus
and a cousin- she was seven years senior to me- also lived in our house. I will call her my private teacher,
since she attended my studies after her return from office. She was solid in Science and it was from her
that I had a genuine grasp of physics concepts which I had studied in my school days.

D Jansi

I have no doubt about the importance of having a tutor at home to help us learn in our school days. As
my parents were not in a position to afford the salary for a tutor, my brother and I could not enjoy that
benefit. It is true that our teachers were sensitive and attentive to each of the students in the class.
However, in the last instance, a classroom is for the whole and teachers had their limit. I wanted to do
space research, but my poor physics disqualified me. I often think with a sigh – my future would have
been different if a tutor helped me with my Science. One teacher wholly working for you, knowing your
strength and weakness, planning and arranging everything only for you – that is something different. It
gives not only extra knowledge, but extra energy as well.

Answers: B,A,D, A ,C,D,C, A,B,C

Which speaker:

a. Suggests he / she did not much learn from tutor? ……………………………………..

b. Says about a tutor who removed the speaker’s lonely childhood? ……………………………..………
c. Had no tutor throughout? ……………………………..………
d. Feels thankful to the tutor? ……………………………..………
e. Got a tutor during the college days? ……………………………..………
f. Feels disappointed about a lost opportunity? ……………………………..………
g. Says about a tutor who helped to thorough physics? ……………………………..………
h. Remembers a tutor who taught serious lessons on jolly occasions? ……………………………..………
i. Was frightened about Math all through the school years? ……………………………..………
j. States that his /her tutor had sound knowledge in Science? ……………………………..………